7 Things THC is NOT

Members of THC … it would be good to understand how to view ourselves as a church.

We used to be an English Ministry though. The reason “EM” is no longer an appropriate label for us is because we, technically, are not an English Ministry of Beautiful Church.

We are an independent church within our denomination (SBC). We have our own Lead Pastor, budget, and membership. We have our own vision and mission. And we desire to be a church for the community.

“EM” is also a foreign concept to many people unfamiliar with the immigrant church-dynamic.

We do, however, work with our Mother/Sending Church (Beautiful Church) so that we can form as strong a bridge as possible for their children to join our church upon their graduation from high school. 

We used to be almost entirely second-generation Korean-American, but that is no longer the case. THC now consists of members from 11 different ethnic backgrounds.

We are, however, a church that came out of a Korean church (Beautiful Church) and many of the members of THC grew up at Beautiful Church. Intentional decisions were made between Pastor Ko (Senior Pastor of BC) and Pastor Phil Kim to hire a non-Korean Pastor (me) in the hopes that it would open up the door for The Home Church to, more effectively, reach more people in the Rowland Heights-area. 

We used to be 100% “young adult” or “college”-age because most of our parents prefer to socialize and learn in their first language. This created an environment where most of the “older” members of our church are in their 30’s.

We are, however, predominately “young adult” at the current moment. But we are hoping that our church will be a place for those of all ages because we believe the gospel is that powerful to bring different people together! THC is for children, teens, young adults, married couples, middle-agers, and seniors. 

The House Church model is not a “perfect” model. We should not look down upon other churches that don’t do the “FC-model” at their church. It’s not a requirement to be a Christian and I hope and pray that we never elevate a model, method, or a man above the mission.

Let us be “married” to the “mission” (Matthew 28:16-20) and not the model.

We do, however, strongly emphasize this ministry for our church because we believe the primary purpose of The Home Church is fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20) and we believe that the “House Church model” (or “Family Church” at THC) offers a great way for us to grow in evangelism and biblical community.

Christianity is not a checklist. Nor is it a “Sunday-only-experience” that has no bearing on the rest of your week.

We do, however, believe in the importance of followers of Christ gathering on the first day of the week to worship God (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). Fridays (FC) are more focused on community and evangelism, Tuesdays (Bible Study) are more focused on learning/knowledge, and Sundays (Corporate Worship) are more focused on worshipping and serving.

Christianity is not just about gathering around those who believe just like we do. Jesus, with all authority, has given His followers a timeless call to win the lost and make disciples. We hope to reach “VIPs” (Very Important People – unchurched, unbelievers) with the gospel of Jesus so that the Kingdom can grow!

We do, however, believe in the importance of the Christians at THC to be united in our mission, our statement of faith, and in what it means to be part of the “THC family”. This requires constant communication, church member meetings, and meaningful membership. 

May we be more defined by what we are doing rather than what we are not not doing.

“…I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.
 
May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. 
 
Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”                    
 
- Jesus, John 17:20-23 (NIV)
 
 
Love you Mems,
 
Pastor Mitchell